Sara Gibbs, Standards Development Manager, BSI, is speaking at the PCIAW® Summit 29-30th October 2025 to discuss the vital shift towards achieving truly inclusive workplace safety with fit-for-form PPE for diverse body shapes, hosted at Hilton London Bankside.
Sarah will speak on the groundbreaking new standard, BS 30417: Provision of Inclusive PPE – Guide. Sara will speak alongside Natalie Wilson, Managing Director, Workwear Solutions International; Kirsteen Sullivan, Member of Parliament for Bathgate and Linlithgow and Rowshi Hussain, Senior Geo-Environmental Engineer at Curtins.
For too long, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been designed around a standardised model—a traditional “average man”—leaving a significant portion of today’s diverse workforce unprotected, uncomfortable, or facing unnecessary risk.
Recent research underscores this critical failure, indicating that nearly half (46%) of British women who have been supplied PPE or uniform have received gear that simply does not fit. This poor provision is more than an inconvenience; it compromises safety, threatens long-term health, and contributes to the loss of skilled professionals from vital sectors.
The new standard, championed by the panel speakers, is being made freely available to support accessibility. BS 30417 provides practical, evidence-based guidance for organisations across all sectors to ensure staff are supplied with protective equipment that fits them, regardless of gender, body shape, ethnicity, age, or disability.
According to Sara Gibbs, this focus on the how is the standard’s pioneering element. “Inclusive PPE is a critical topic for the professional clothing, workwear, and PPE industry as it addresses the fundamental need for safety and comfort for all workers, regardless of their size, shape, or gender.”
“The BS 30417: Provision of Inclusive PPE- Guide, which I had the privilege to work on, sets a pioneering standard in ensuring that PPE is truly inclusive. By focusing on the provision rather than just the design of protective equipment, we can ensure that all workers have access to gear that fits them properly. This, in turn, enhances safety, productivity, and morale in the workplace. By adopting inclusive PPE standards, we can bridge the gap in PPE provision and ensure that no worker is left unprotected due to ill-fitting gear.”
“Moreover, it is essential to consider cultural, neurodiversity, impairments, and disability requirements to create an all-encompassing approach to PPE. This holistic perspective ensures that every worker’s unique needs are met, promoting an inclusive and supportive work environment.”
As a Standards Development Manager at BSI, Sara Gibbs leads work on PPE standards, drawing on first-hand experience as a PPE user in the construction and coal power sectors. This practical, user-focused background has been instrumental in the development of BS 30417, where she collaborated with industry leaders, government bodies, and end-users to fundamentally improve access to protective equipment for all.
Sara Gibbs’ session at the PCIAW® Summit 2025 will provide employers and PPE providers with clear, actionable recommendations to comply with legislative and safety obligations, helping them boost recruitment and retention by showing a genuine commitment to workforce well-being. Attending her address is essential for anyone committed to building safer, more productive, and truly inclusive workplaces of the future.
